FIG

Geek talk: Ficus CaricaBut we talk: FigDescription: Figs are native to Egypt and are a extremely popular fruit today, largely in part to the Fig Bar. Today, the United States, Turkey, Greece, Portugal, and Spain are some of the largest producers of figs. Figs have an opening called an ostitole, which assists in the fig’s development. There are many cultivars of figs, and the most popular varieties are the black mission, kadota, Calimyrna, brown turkey, and the Adriatic, which is the variety used to make fig bars. When picking figs you should buy them a day or two before consumed as they are easily spoiled, figs should be plump and tender with firm stems and no bruised. .Kitchen Pharmacy: Figs are a great source of chlorogenic acid, which lowers blood sugar levels, controls glucose levels, increase the metabolism of fat, and has antioxdent properties. Figs also contain manganese, iron, selenium, zinc, copper, calcium, potassium, fiber, lutein, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin K. Figs are also used to lower blood pressure, lower insulin levels for people with diabetes, lower triglyceride levels, promote bone density, and help protect against Macular Degeneration.